FINAL tributes were paid to much-loved Shepshed teacher Mark Parker at his funeral last week.

Hundreds of mourners turned out to St Nicholas Church in Lockington, near his Hemington home, last Friday, December 18, to pay their last respects following the teachers death earlier this month at the age of 56.

Among them were students and staff from Hind Leys College, where Mr Parker taught media and English and was the director of Key Stage Four. The college had held a memorial assembly the day before having already dedicated its production of Fame The Musical to him.

Groups dedicated to the popular teacher have more than 2,000 members and a Facebook campaign has now been started to try and get a statue or bust of him.

Yvonne Lee, principal of Hind Leys, said: Weve lost an inspirational supporter of our students and their families and a true champion.

Mr Parker was one of five children and was brought up by parents Ken and Freda in Oadby.

His eldest brother, Geoff, thanked the thousands of people who contributed to the massive out-pouring of praise for Mr Parker.

All this is testament to all the lives Mark has touched and helped over his remarkable teaching career, he said. The guy was incredible, we celebrate a truly inspirational life. We are proud to call you our brother.

Mr Parkers daughter Alice also read out a poem, entitled Im Alright Jack, which he himself had written for a competition.